Recent studies indicate that for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) classified as T1N0M0, sublobar resection offers long-term outcomes comparable to lobectomy. However, these early-stage patients may still experience pleural invasion, which is associated with poor prognosis. It is necessary to compare the long-term efficacy of sublobar resection versus lobectomy in patients with T≤3 cm N0M0 NSCLC accompanied by pleural invasion. Research data were sourced from the SEER(Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database. Patients diagnosed were from between 2010 and 2020 with T≤3 cm N0M0 NSCLC and pleural invasion. Patients were divided into sublobar resection and lobectomy groups, and their cancer-specific survival(CSS) and overall survival(OS) were compared. Univariate analysis post-matching reveale no significant differences in CSS and OS between the sublobar resection and lobectomy groups. Multivariate analysis also indicate that the surgical approach is not an independent prognostic factor for CSS(HR = 1.185, 95% CI: 0.745 ~ 1.885, P = 0.472) and OS (HR = 1.171, 95% CI: 0.869 ~ 1.577, P = 0.299) in patients with T≤3 cm N0M0 NSCLC and pleural invasion. Subgroup analyses show no significant differences in CSS and OS between the two groups across various subgroups. Competing risk model multivariate analysis also demonstrate no significant difference in lung cancer-specific mortality between sublobar resection and lobectomy. In conclusion, for patients with T≤3 cm N0M0 NSCLC accompanied by pleural invasion, sublobar resection offers long-term survival outcomes comparable to lobectomy and can be considered a viable surgical option for this patient population.